Hamas released three hostages on Saturday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel, including Keith Siegel, the first American freed under the current deal. Siegel, an American-Israeli dual citizen, had been held in Gaza for 484 days after being kidnapped during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. His release comes as part of the prisoner exchange that also saw Israel free 183 Palestinian detainees from its jails.
The 65-year-old occupational therapist, originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was taken hostage alongside his wife, Aviva Siegel, from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Aviva was released during a previous exchange in November 2023 and has since led efforts to advocate for her husband’s release. When news broke that Keith Siegel was on the list for release, his daughter shared a video capturing Aviva’s elation, shouting, “Dad is coming! Dad is on the list!”
The exchange was swift and orderly, with armed Hamas militants handing Siegel over to Red Cross personnel in Gaza City. Shortly after, Yarden Bibas and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon were released in Khan Younis, marking the 18th hostage release since the ceasefire began on January 19. As Siegel arrived in Israel, buses departed from Ofer Military Prison carrying Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were greeted by cheering crowds upon their return to the West Bank.
The truce has provided a temporary respite after more than 15 months of intense conflict, which has claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The deal aims to secure the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, with Israel stating that eight of the hostages are presumed dead. In addition to the exchanges, 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children were allowed to leave Gaza for medical treatment in Egypt through the reopened Rafah border crossing.
The release of Siegel holds symbolic weight, as he is the first American hostage freed under this agreement, bringing renewed focus to the six remaining U.S. citizens still held by Hamas. Among them, at least two are believed to be alive, including Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, and Edan Alexander, 19. Meanwhile, four American hostages are believed to have died in captivity. The Trump administration has been engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure their return, as pressure mounts for further negotiations.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, thousands gathered to watch the live broadcast of the hostage releases, waving signs and cheering as Siegel’s return was confirmed. His emaciated appearance highlighted the conditions of captivity, but his resilience has been widely praised. His wife Aviva’s relentless advocacy played a major role in keeping his story in the public eye.
For the Bibas family, the release of Yarden Bibas, 35, has brought renewed focus on the fate of his wife Shiri and their two young children, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months old at the time of their abduction. Hamas has claimed they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, but Israel has not confirmed their deaths. Kfir, the youngest known hostage, became a symbol of the anguish and urgency surrounding the hostage crisis.
In Kfar Saba, Ofer Kalderon’s family erupted in cheers as they watched him walk onto the stage before being handed over to the Red Cross. His two children, Erez and Sahar, were released in the November 2023 ceasefire, but family members have long awaited the moment they could be reunited with their father.
The ceasefire remains fragile, with negotiations for a second phase set to begin next week. The current deal has allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza and facilitated the return of displaced Palestinians to what remains of their homes. However, Israel remains committed to dismantling Hamas, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing pressure from his far-right coalition partners to resume military operations. Meanwhile, Hamas insists that no further hostages will be released unless Israel agrees to a full withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Siegel’s long-awaited return serves as both a victory for hostage families and a reminder of those still left behind. His freedom offers hope that further exchanges may be possible, but the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain.
Image is in the public domain and is licensed under the Pixabay Content License.
